Apparatus for supporting an adjustable surgical platform

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, an apparatus for supporting an adjustable surgical platform is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a supporting platform portion with a body portion that defines bore along a central axis. Arm portions with engaging means extend radially from the supporting platform portion. The apparatus also includes a shaft portion extending from the supporting platform portion in a first direction, with a shaft body portion that defines a bore along a longitudinal axis B. The bore of the shaft body portion is in communication with the bore of the supporting platform portion. The apparatus further includes a base portion connected to the shaft portion, and that defines a bore in communication with the bore of the shaft portion and the bore of the supporting platform portion. Mounting means are configured to secure the base portion to a region of interest of a living subject.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of, and claims benefit ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/161,383, filed Jun. 15, 2011,entitled “APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING AN ADJUSTABLE SURGICAL PLATFORM”, byChangquing C. Kao, J. Michael Fitzpatrick, Robert F. Labadie and PeterE. Konrad, now allowed, which itself is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/849,241, filed Aug. 3, 2010, entitled“ADJUSTABLE UNIVERSAL SURGICAL PLATFORM” by Changquing C. Kao, J.Michael Fitzpatrick, Robert F. Labadie and Peter E. Konrad, nowabandoned, which itself is a divisional application of, and claims thebenefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/594,700, filed Nov. 7,2006 and entitled “ADJUSTABLE UNIVERSAL SURGICAL PLATFORM” by ChangquingC. Kao, J. Michael Fitzpatrick, Robert F. Labadie, and Peter E. Konrad,now U.S. Pat. No. 7,794,469, which itself claims the benefit, pursuantto 35 U.S.C. §119(e), of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.60/734,052, filed Nov. 7, 2005, entitled “ADJUSTABLE UNIVERSAL SURGICALPLATFORM” by Changquing C. Kao, J. Michael Fitzpatrick, Robert F.Labadie and Peter E. Konrad. Each of the above-identified disclosures isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for supporting asurgical platform. More particularly, the present invention relates to asupport frame for supporting an adjustable surgical platform.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Stereotactic neurosurgery is a field of neurosurgery in which a probe isadvanced through a burr hole to a target of interest by means of amechanical device attached to the skull with aiming based onpre-operative images. The probe may be a biopsy needle or an implantabledevice, but it is geometrically rigid, so that its tip can be brought toa target of interest specified on a pre-operative image, by means of ageometrical calculation. In the past, large metal frames that encompassthe entire head of a patient were used with the attachment of smallplatforms placed over an entry site. Conventional metal frames aredesigned for approaching one target at a time with an unrestricted entrypoint towards the deep target, by employing the principle that thetarget is at the center of a sphere. Because of the long trajectoriesinvolved, both accuracy and patient comfort are challenged by thedemands of surgeries for deep brain stimulation (DBS) in which thepatients are awake throughout the lengthy surgical procedure.

Other conventional approaches require the attachment of bone-implantedfiducials, the subsequent acquisition of a preoperative tomogram, andintraoperative optical tracking to aim a probe at its target. However,there are problems regarding geometrically stability, limited space foraccess to the burr hole and surgical manipulation, which requires atime-consuming process of aiming and locking on the target. Access tothe burr hole is crucially important for the purpose of stoppingbleeding from the bone cavity, dura, and the surface of the cortexduring the procedure. In some conventional devices, a medicalprofessional conducts the aiming process by watching a guiding icon onthe screen of the intraoperative tracking system and then locking aguiding platform into place with one hand, while it is held at thecorrect trajectory with the other hand. The trajectory istwo-dimensional, meaning that there are two mutually-perpendicularangular adjustments required, each of which must be set simultaneouslyfor the correct trajectory. Finding the correct trajectory via theguiding icon is time consuming because of the difficulty of making fineadjustments of one angle of the approach without changing the otherangle. A further difficulty with this aiming procedure is maintainingboth angles of the correct trajectory while locking the device ontarget. The locking step can be especially frustrating to a medicalprocessional if either angle is changed inadvertently during locking, asrevealed by the guiding icon, and as a result, the device must beunlocked and the adjustment started again from the beginning. Severaliterations may be required, resulting in wasted operating time. In otherconventional approaches, a custom apparatus may be built for eachparticular patient, after preliminary scans of the target area ofinterest have been taken to obtain specific dimensional and anatomicaldata for the particular patient. However, following a preliminaryscanning procedure, a patient must wait several days or weeks until thecustom frame has been built and delivered, and even upon setting up thecustom frame in preparation for a surgical procedure, fine-tuning isrequired to further adjust the apparatus to address intraoperativechallenges faced by medical professionals performing the surgicalprocedure.

Among other needs, there exists a need for adjustable surgical meansthat can be quickly and accurately configured to provide for varyingpositions and trajectories for a particular procedure and correspondingparticular patient anatomy, and which can intraoperatively guidesurgical instruments with accuracy at the desired settings.

Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to addressthe aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus forsupporting an adjustable surgical platform. In one embodiment, theapparatus includes a supporting platform portion with a body portionthat defines a bore along a central axis A. A plurality of arm portionsextend radially from the supporting platform portion around the centralaxis A, and a plurality of engaging means are positioned on the armportions. The apparatus also includes a shaft portion extending from thesupporting platform portion in a first direction. The shaft portion hasa shaft body portion that defines a bore along a longitudinal axis B,that is in communication with the bore of the supporting platformportion. The apparatus further includes a base portion that is connectedto the shaft portion. The base portion has a body portion that defines abore in communication with the bore of the shaft portion and the bore ofthe supporting platform portion. Mounting means are configured to securethe base portion to a region of interest of a living subject.

In one embodiment, each arm portion has a first end portion connected tothe body portion of the supporting platform portion, a second, oppositeend portion, and a body portion defined between the first end portionand the second end portion, and at least one of the engaging means isdisposed proximate to the second end of a respective at least one of theplurality of arm portions.

In one embodiment, at least one of the arm portions is configured toelevate a respective at least one of the engaging means from thesupporting platform portion in a second direction that is substantiallyopposite the first direction.

In one embodiment, the plurality of engaging means are configured toengage at least a portion of an adjustable surgical platform, and atleast one of the engaging means is configured to engage a leg member ofthe adjustable surgical platform.

In one embodiment, at least one of the engaging means is adjustable inthree-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioning angle for anengaged leg member of the adjustable surgical platform.

In one embodiment, the plurality of arm portions are separated at anglesθ₁, θ₂, θ₃ from each other around the central axis A, and the angles θ₁,θ₂, θ₃ are the same or different.

In one embodiment, the mounting means includes at least one fasteningmeans configured to secure the base portion to the region of interest ofthe living subject.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes means for securing asurgical tracking instrument to one of the plurality of arm portions.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a support frame foran adjustable surgical platform. In one embodiment, the support frameincludes a supporting platform portion with a body portion that definesa bore between a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion,along a central axis A. A plurality of arm portions extend radially fromthe supporting platform portion around the central axis A. Each armportion has a first end portion connected to the body portion of thesupporting platform portion, a second, opposite end portion, and a bodyportion defined between the first end portion and the second endportion. Each of a plurality of engaging means is provided on arespective one of the plurality of arm portions, proximate to therespective second end portion. The support frame also includes a shaftportion extending from the second end portion of the supporting platformportion in a first direction. The shaft portion has a first end portionconnected to the body portion of the supporting platform portion, anopposite, second end portion, and a shaft body portion defined betweenthe first end portion and the second end portion. The shaft body portiondefines a bore along a longitudinal axis B that is substantiallyparallel to the central axis A. The bore of the shaft body portion is incommunication with the bore defined by the supporting platform portion.The support frame further includes a base portion that is connected tothe second end portion of the shaft portion. The base portion has afirst end portion and an opposite, second end portion that define a bodyportion between them. The body portion defines a bore that is incommunication with the bore defined by the shaft portion and the boredefined by the supporting platform portion. The support frame furtherincludes mounting means that are configured to mount the base portion tothe skull of a living subject.

In one embodiment, each of the arm portions is configured to elevate arespective one of the engaging means from the body portion of thesupporting platform portion, in a second direction that is substantiallyopposite the first direction.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of engaging means is configuredto engage respective leg member of the adjustable surgical platform, andthe engaging means of each of the arm portions is adjustable inthree-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioning angle forcorresponding engaged leg members of an adjustable surgical platform.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of engaging means is configuredto engage a ball portion of a respective leg member of the adjustablesurgical platform.

In one embodiment, each of the engaging means includes a concave recess.

In one embodiment, the plurality of arm portions are separated at equalangles θ₁, θ₂, θ₃ from each other around the central axis A.

In one embodiment, the plurality of arm portions includes three armportions separated 120° from each other around the central axis A.

In one embodiment, the mounting means include at least one fasteningmeans configured to secure the base portion of the support frame to theskull of the living subject.

In one embodiment, the support frame further includes a means forsecuring a surgical tracking instrument to one of the plurality of armportions.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a support framefor an adjustable surgical platform. In one embodiment, the supportframe includes a supporting platform portion with an annular bodyportion defining a bore between a first end portion and second, oppositeend portion, along a central axis A. A plurality of arm portions extendradially from the annular body portion around the central axis A, andeach arm portion has a first end portion connected to the annular bodyportion, a second, opposite end portion, and a body portion definedbetween the first end portion and the second end portion. The supportframe further includes a plurality of engaging means, each positioned ona respective one of the arm portions proximate to the second endportion. Each of the engaging means is configured to engage acorresponding leg member of an adjustable surgical platform. The supportframe further includes a shaft portion extending from the second endportion of the annular body portion in a first direction. The shaftportion has a first end portion connected to the annular body portion,an opposite, second end portion, and a body portion defined between thefirst end portion and the second end portion. The body portion defines abore along a longitudinal axis B that is substantially parallel to thecentral axis A. The bore of the shaft portion is in communication withthe bore defined by the supporting platform portion. The support framefurther includes a base portion connected to the second end of the shaftportion. The base portion has a first end portion and an opposite,second end portion that defines a body portion between them, and thebody portion defines a bore that is in communication with the boredefined by the shaft portion and the bore defined by the supportingplatform portion. The support frame further includes mounting meansconfigured to mount the base portion to the skull of a living subject.

In one embodiment, each of the arm portions is configured to elevate arespective one of the engaging means from the body portion of thesupporting platform portion in a second direction that is substantiallyopposite the first direction.

In one embodiment, each of the engaging means is adjustable inthree-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioning angle for acorresponding engaged leg member of the adjustable surgical platform.

In one embodiment, the plurality of arm portions includes three armportions separated 120° from each other around the central axis A.

In one embodiment, the mounting means includes at least one fasteningmeans configured to secure the base portion to the skull of the livingsubject.

In one embodiment, the support frame further includes means for securinga surgical tracking instrument to one of the plurality of arm portions.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus forsupporting an adjustable surgical platform. In one embodiment, theapparatus includes a supporting platform portion with a body portionthat defines a bore along a central axis. A plurality of arm portionsextend radially from the supporting platform portion around the centralaxis, and a plurality of engaging means are positioned on the armportions. Mounting means are configured to secure the supportingplatform portion to a region of interest of a living subject.

In one embodiment, each arm portion has a first end portion connected tothe body portion of the supporting platform portion, a second, oppositeend portion, and a body portion defined between the first end portionand the second end portion, and at least one of the engaging means isdisposed proximate to the second end of a respective at least one of theplurality of arm portions.

In one embodiment, at least one of the arm portions is configured toelevate a respective at least one of the engaging means from thesupporting platform portion.

In one embodiment, the plurality of engaging means are configured toengage at least a portion of an adjustable surgical platform, and atleast one of the engaging means is configured to engage a leg member ofthe adjustable surgical platform.

In one embodiment, at least one of the engaging means is adjustable inthree-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioning angle for anengaged leg member of the adjustable surgical platform.

In one embodiment, the plurality of arm portions are separated at anglesθ₁, θ₂, θ₃ from each other around the central axis, and the angles θ₁,θ₂, θ₃ are the same or different.

In one embodiment, the mounting means includes at least one fasteningmeans configured to secure the supporting platform portion to the regionof interest of the living subject.

In one embodiment, the apparatus further includes means for securing asurgical tracking instrument to one of the plurality of arm portions.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a support framefor an adjustable surgical platform. In one embodiment, the supportframe includes a supporting platform portion with a body portion thatdefines a bore between a first end portion and a second, opposite endportion, along a central axis. A plurality of arm portions extendradially from the supporting platform portion around the central axis.Each arm portion has a first end portion connected to the body portionof the supporting platform portion, a second, opposite end portion, anda body portion defined between the first end portion and the second endportion. Each of a plurality of engaging means is provided on arespective one of the plurality of arm portions, proximate to therespective second end portion. The support frame further includesmounting means that are configured to mount the supporting platformportion to the skull of a living subject.

In one embodiment, each of the arm portions is configured to elevate arespective one of the engaging means from the body portion of thesupporting platform portion.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of engaging means is configuredto engage respective leg member of the adjustable surgical platform, andthe engaging means of each of the arm portions is adjustable inthree-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioning angle forcorresponding engaged leg members of an adjustable surgical platform.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of engaging means is configuredto engage a ball portion of a respective leg member of the adjustablesurgical platform.

In one embodiment, each of the engaging means includes a concave recess.

In one embodiment, the plurality of arm portions are separated at equalangles θ₁, θ₂, θ₃ from each other around the central axis.

In one embodiment, the plurality of arm portions includes three armportions separated 120° from each other around the central axis.

In one embodiment, the mounting means include at least one fasteningmeans configured to secure the supporting platform portion to the skullof the living subject.

In one embodiment, the support frame further includes a means forsecuring a surgical tracking instrument to one of the plurality of armportions.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a support framefor an adjustable surgical platform. In one embodiment, the supportframe includes a supporting platform portion with an annular bodyportion defining a bore between a first end portion and second, oppositeend portion, along a central axis. A plurality of arm portions extendradially from the annular body portion around the central axis, and eacharm portion has a first end portion connected to the annular bodyportion, a second, opposite end portion, and a body portion definedbetween the first end portion and the second end portion. The supportframe further includes a plurality of engaging means, each positioned ona respective one of the arm portions proximate to the second endportion. Each of the engaging means is configured to engage acorresponding leg member of an adjustable surgical platform. The supportframe further includes mounting means configured to mount the supportingplatform portion to the skull of a living subject.

In one embodiment, each of the arm portions is configured to elevate arespective one of the engaging means from the body portion of thesupporting platform portion.

In one embodiment, each of the engaging means is adjustable inthree-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioning angle for acorresponding engaged leg member of the adjustable surgical platform.

In one embodiment, the plurality of arm portions includes three armportions separated 120° from each other around the central axis.

In one embodiment, the mounting means includes at least one fasteningmeans configured to secure the supporting platform portion to the skullof the living subject.

In one embodiment, the support frame further includes means for securinga surgical tracking instrument to one of the plurality of arm portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments of theinvention and, together with the written description, serve to explainvarious aspects and principles of the invention. Wherever possible, thesame reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to thesame or like elements of an embodiment, and wherein:

FIG. 1A schematically shows a perspective view of a support frameaccording to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B schematically shows a top view of the surgical platform portionand arm portions of the support frame shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C schematically shows a side view of the support frame shown inFIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 2A schematically shows perspective view of a support frameaccording to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C,supporting an adjustable surgical platform;

FIG. 2B schematically shows a side view of the support frame shown inFIG. 2A, supporting the adjustable surgical frame shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A schematically shows a side view of a support frame according toone exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B schematically shows a side view of the support frame shown inFIG. 3A, supporting an adjustable surgical platform;

FIG. 4A schematically shows a side view of a means for securing asurgical tracking instrument to a support frame, according to oneexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B schematically shows a view of the means for securing a surgicaltracking instrument to the support frame shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 schematically shows a front view of a means for securing asurgical tracking instrument to a support frame, according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A schematically shows a perspective view of a support frameaccording to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B schematically shows a side view of the support frame shown inFIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A schematically shows perspective view of a support frameaccording to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B,supporting an adjustable surgical platform;

FIG. 7B schematically shows a side view of the support frame shown inFIG. 7A, supporting an adjustable surgical platform;

FIG. 8A schematically shows a side view of a support frame according toone exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8B schematically shows a side view of the support frame shown inFIG. 8A, supporting an adjustable surgical platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is more particularly described in the followingexamples that are intended as illustrative only since numerousmodifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilledin the art. Various embodiments of the invention are now described indetail. Referring to the drawings, like numbers indicate like partsthroughout the views. As used in the description herein and throughoutthe claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includesplural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, asused in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow,the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearlydictates otherwise. Additionally, some terms used in this specificationare more specifically defined below.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinarymeanings in the art, within the context of the invention, and in thespecific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used todescribe the invention are discussed below, or elsewhere in thespecification, to provide additional guidance to the practitionerregarding the description of the invention. For convenience, certainterms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotationmarks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaningof a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the samecontext, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated thatsame thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternativelanguage and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the termsdiscussed herein, nor is any special significance to be placed uponwhether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms forcertain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does notexclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in thisspecification including examples of any terms discussed herein isillustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of theinvention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is notlimited to various embodiments given in this specification.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention pertains. In the case of conflict, thepresent document, including definitions will control.

As used herein, “around”, “about” or “approximately” shall generallymean within 20 percent, preferably within 10 percent, and morepreferably within 5 percent of a given value or range. Numericalquantities given herein are approximate, meaning that the term “around”,“about” or “approximately” can be inferred if not expressly stated.

As used herein, the term “living subject” refers to a human being suchas a patient, or an animal such as a lab testing rat, monkey or thelike.

The description will be made as to the embodiments of the presentinvention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in FIGS. 1-8.

Now referring to exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-8, in oneaspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus 100 for supportingan adjustable surgical platform. In one embodiment, the apparatusincludes a supporting platform portion 110 with a body portion 110 cthat defines a bore 110 d along a central axis A. A plurality of armportions 112, 114, 116 extend radially from the supporting platformportion 110 around the central axis A, and a plurality of engaging means118, 120, 122 are positioned on respective arm portions 112, 114, 116.Each of the arm portions 112, 114, 116 has a first end portion 112 a,114 a, 116 a connected to the body portion 110 c of the supportingplatform portion 110, a second, opposite end portion 112 b, 114 b, 116b, and a body portion 112 c, 114 c, 116 c defined between the first endportion 112 a, 114 a, 116 a and second end portion 112 b, 114 b, 116 b,respectively. The apparatus 100 also includes a shaft portion 130extending from the supporting platform portion 110 in a first direction,with a shaft body portion 130 c that defines a bore 130 d along alongitudinal axis B. The bore 130 d of the shaft body portion 130 is incommunication with the bore 110 d of the supporting platform portion110. The apparatus 100 further includes a base portion 140 that isconnected to the shaft portion 130. The base portion 140 has a first endportion 140 a, a second, opposite second portion 140 b, and a bodyportion 140 c defined between the first end portion 140 a and the secondend portion. The body portion 140 c defines a bore 140 d that is incommunication with the bore 130 d of the shaft portion 130 and the bore110 d of the supporting platform portion 110. Mounting means 142, 144,146 are configured to secure the base portion 140 to a region ofinterest 150 of a living subject.

In one embodiment, at least one of the engaging means 118, 120, 122 isdisposed proximate the second end 112 b, 114 b, 116 b of a respective atleast one of the plurality of arm portions 112, 114, 116.

In one embodiment, at least one of the arm portions 312, 314, 316 isconfigured to elevate a respective at least one of the engaging means318, 320, 322 from the supporting platform portion 310 in a seconddirection that is substantially opposite the first direction.

In one embodiment, the engaging means 118, 120, 122 are configured toengage at least a portion 216, 218, 220 of an adjustable surgicalplatform 200, which as shown corresponds to a leg member 210, 212, 214of the adjustable surgical platform 200. In this embodiment, at leastone of the engaging means 118, 120, 122 is adjustable inthree-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioning angle for anengaged leg member 210, 212, 214 of the adjustable surgical platform200.

In one embodiment, the arm portions 112, 114, 116 are separated atangles θ₁, θ₂, θ₃ from each other around the central axis A. The anglesθ₁, θ₂, θ₃ can be the same or different from each other.

In one embodiment, the mounting means 142, 144, 146 includes at leastone fastening means 142, 144, 146 configured to secure the base portion140 to the region of interest 150 of the living subject.

In one embodiment, a means 402 (or 502) is configured for securing asurgical tracking instrument 430 to one of the plurality of arm portions112, 114, 116.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a support frame 100for an adjustable surgical platform 200. In one embodiment, the supportframe includes a supporting platform portion 110 with a body portion 110c that defines a bore 110 d between a first end portion 110 a and asecond, opposite end portion 110 b, along a central axis A. A pluralityof arm portions 112, 114, 116 extend radially from the body portion 110c around the central axis A. Each of the arm portions 112, 114, 116 hasa first end portion 112 a, 114 a, 116 a connected to the body portion110 c of the supporting platform portion 110, a second, opposite endportion 112 b, 114 b, 116 b, and a body portion 112 c, 114 c, 116 cdefined between them, respectively. A plurality of engaging means 118,120, 122 are each positioned on respective one of the arm portions 112,114, 116, proximate to the respective second end portions 112 b, 114 b,116 b of the arm portions 112, 114, 116.

The support frame 100 also includes a shaft portion 130 that extendsfrom the second end portion 110 b of the supporting platform portion 110in a first direction. The shaft portion 130 has a first end portion 130a connected to the body portion 110 c of the supporting platform portion110, an opposite, second end portion 130 b, and a shaft body portion 130c that is defined between the first end portion 130 a and the second endportion 130 b. The shaft body portion 130 c defines a bore 130 d along alongitudinal axis B, and the bore 130 b of the shaft body portion 130 cis in communication with the bore 110 d of the supporting platformportion 110. The longitudinal axis B is substantially parallel to thecentral axis A. The support frame 100 further includes a base portion140 that is connected to the second end portion 130 b of the shaftportion 130. The base portion 140 has a first end portion 140 a and asecond, opposite end portion 140 b that define a body portion 140 cbetween them, and the body portion 140 c defines a bore 140 d that is incommunication with the bore 130 d of the shaft portion 130 and the bore110 d of the supporting platform portion 110. The support frame 100 alsoincludes mounting means 142, 144, 146 that are configured to mount thebase portion 140 to the skull 150 of a living subject.

In one embodiment, each of the arm portions 312, 314, 316 is configuredto elevate a respective one of the engaging means 318, 320, 322 from thebody portion 310 c of the supporting platform portion 310 in a seconddirection that is substantially opposite the first direction.

In one embodiment, each of the engaging means 118, 120, 122 isconfigured to engage a leg member 210, 212, 214 of the adjustablesurgical platform 200. In this embodiment, each of the engaging means118, 120, 122 corresponding to each of the respective arm portions 112,114, 116 is adjustable in three-dimensions, to provide an adjustablepositioning angle for corresponding engaged leg members 210, 212, 214 ofan adjustable surgical platform 200. Each of the engaging means 118,120, 122 is configured to engage a ball portion 216, 218, 220 of arespective leg member 210, 212, 214 of the adjustable surgical platform200.

In one embodiment, each of the engaging means 118, 120, 122 has asocket-ball joint.

In one embodiment, each of the engaging means 118, 120, 122 has arespective concave recess 119, 121, 123.

In one embodiment, the arm portions 112, 114, 116 are separated at equalangles θ₁, θ₂, θ₃ from each other around the central axis A. In thisembodiment, the three arm portions 112, 114, 116 are separated 120° fromeach other around the central axis A.

In one embodiment, the mounting means 142, 144, 146 has at least onefastening means 142, 144, 146 configured to secure the base portion 140to the skull 150 of the living subject.

In one embodiment, the support frame 100 further includes a means 402(or 502) for securing a surgical tracking instrument 430 to one of thearm portions 412, 414, 416.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a support frame100 for an adjustable surgical platform 200. In one embodiment, thesupporting platform portion 110 has an annular body portion 110 c thatdefines a bore 110 d between a first end portion 110 a and a second,opposite end portion 110 b, along a central axis A. A plurality of armportions 112, 114, 116 extend radially from the annular body portion 110c around the central axis A, and each arm portion 112, 114, 116 has afirst end portion 112 a, 114 a, 116 a connected to the annular bodyportion 110 c, a second, opposite end portion 112 b, 114 b, 116 b, and abody portion 112 c, 114 c, 116 c defined between the first end portion112 a, 114 a, 116 a and the second end portion 112 b, 114 b, 116 b,respectively. The support frame 100 also includes a plurality ofengaging means 118, 120, 122 that are each positioned on a respectiveone of the arm portions 112, 114, 116, proximate to the respectivesecond end portion 112 b, 114 b, 116 and configured to engage acorresponding leg member 210, 212, 214 of an adjustable surgicalplatform 200.

The support frame 100 also includes a shaft portion 130 extending fromthe second end portion 110 b of the annular body portion 110 c in afirst direction. The shaft portion 130 has a first end portion 130 aconnected to the annular body portion 110 c, an opposite, second endportion 130 b, and a body portion 130 c defined between the first endportion 130 a and second end portion 130 b. The body portion 130 cdefines a bore 130 d along a longitudinal axis B. The longitudinal axisis substantially parallel to the central axis A. The bore 130 d is incommunication with the bore 110 d defined by the supporting platformportion 110.

The support frame 100 further includes a base portion 140 that isconnected to the second end 130 b of the shaft portion 130. The baseportion 140 has a first end portion 140 a and an opposite, second endportion 140 b that define a body portion 140 c between them. The bodyportion 140 c is in communication with the bore 130 d of the shaftportion 130 and the bore 110 d of the supporting platform portion 110.The support frame 100 further includes means 142, 144, 146 that areconfigured to mount the base portion 140 to the skull 150 of a livingsubject.

In one embodiment, each of the arm portions 312, 314, 316 is configuredto elevate a respective one of the engaging means 318, 320, 322 from thebody portion 310 c of the supporting platform portion 310 in a seconddirection that is substantially opposite the first direction.

In one embodiment, each of the engaging means 118, 120, 122 isadjustable in three-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioningangle for a corresponding engaged leg member 210, 212, 214 of theadjustable surgical platform 200.

In one embodiment, the plurality of arm portions 112, 114, 116 includesthree arm portions 112, 114, 116 that are separated 120° from each otheraround the central axis A.

In one embodiment, the mounting means 142, 144, 146 has at least onefastening means 142, 144, 146 configured to secure the base portion 140to the skull 150 of the living subject.

In one embodiment, the support frame 100 further includes a means 402(or 502) for securing a surgical tracking instrument 430 to one of thearm portions 412, 414, 416.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to an apparatus 600for supporting an adjustable surgical platform 200. In one embodiment,the apparatus 600 includes a supporting platform portion 610 with a bodyportion 610 c that defines a bore 610 d along a central axis. Aplurality of arm portions 612, 614, 616 extend radially from thesupporting platform portion 610 around the central axis, and a pluralityof engaging means 618, 620, 622 are positioned on respective armportions 612, 614, 616. Each of the arm portions 612, 614, 616 has afirst end portion 612 a, 614 a, 616 a connected to the body portion 610c of the supporting platform portion 610, a second, opposite end portion612 b, 614 b, 616 b, and a body portion 612 c, 614 c, 616 c definedbetween the first end portion 612 a, 614 a, 616 a and second end portion612 b, 614 b, 616 b, respectively. Mounting means 611, 613, 615 areconfigured to secure the supporting platform portion 610 to a region ofinterest 150 of a living subject.

In one embodiment, at least one of the engaging means 618, 620, 622 isdisposed proximate the second end 612 b, 614 b, 616 b of a respective atleast one of the plurality of arm portions 612, 614, 616.

In one embodiment, at least one of the arm portions 612, 614, 616 isconfigured to elevate a respective at least one of the engaging means618, 620, 622 from the supporting platform portion (see FIG. 8embodiment with arm portions 812, 814, 816 configured to elevateengaging means 818, 820, 822 from supporting platform portion 810).

In one embodiment, the engaging means 618, 620, 622 are configured toengage at least a portion 216, 218, 220 of an adjustable surgicalplatform 200, which as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B corresponds to a legmember 210, 212, 214 of the adjustable surgical platform 200. In thisembodiment, at least one of the engaging means 618, 620, 622 isadjustable in three-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioningangle for an engaged leg member 210, 212, 214 of the adjustable surgicalplatform 200.

In one embodiment, the arm portions 612, 614, 616 are separated atangles θ₁, θ₂, θ₃ from each other around the central axis. The anglesθ₁, θ₂, θ₃ can be the same or different from each other.

In one embodiment, the mounting means 611, 613, 615 includes at leastone fastening means configured to secure the supporting platform portion610 to the region of interest 150 of the living subject.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a support frame600 for an adjustable surgical platform 200. In one embodiment, thesupport frame 600 includes a supporting platform portion 610 with a bodyportion 610 c that defines a bore 610 d between a first end portion 610a and a second, opposite end portion 610 b, along a central axis. Aplurality of arm portions 612, 614, 616 extend radially from the bodyportion 610 c around the central axis. Each of the arm portions 612,614, 616 has a first end portion 612 a, 614 a, 616 a connected to thebody portion 610 c of the supporting platform portion 110, a second,opposite end portion 612 b, 614 b, 616 b, and a body portion 612 c, 614c, 616 c defined between them, respectively. A plurality of engagingmeans 618, 620, 622 are each positioned on respective one of the armportions 612, 614, 616, proximate to the respective second end portions612 b, 614 b, 616 b of the arm portions 612, 614, 616.

The support frame 600 also includes mounting means 611, 613, 614 thatare configured to mount the supporting platform portion 610 to the skull150 of a living subject.

In one embodiment, each of the arm portions 612, 614, 616 is configuredto elevate a respective at least one of the engaging means 618, 620, 622from the supporting platform portion (see FIG. 8 embodiment with armportions 812, 814, 816 configured to elevate engaging means 818, 820,822 from supporting platform portion 810).

In one embodiment, each of the engaging means 618, 620, 622 isconfigured to engage a leg member 210, 212, 214 of the adjustablesurgical platform 200. In this embodiment, each of the engaging means618, 620, 622 corresponding to each of the respective arm portions 612,614, 616 is adjustable in three-dimensions, to provide an adjustablepositioning angle for corresponding engaged leg members 210, 212, 214 ofthe adjustable surgical platform 200. Each of the engaging means 618,620, 622 is configured to engage a ball portion 216, 218, 220 of arespective leg member 210, 212, 214 of the adjustable surgical platform200.

In one embodiment, each of the engaging means 618, 620, 622 has asocket-ball joint.

In one embodiment, each of the engaging means 618, 620, 622 has aconcave recess 619, 621, 623.

In one embodiment, the arm portions 612, 614, 616 are separated at equalangles θ₁, θ₂, θ₃ from each other around the central axis. In thisembodiment, the three arm portions 612, 614, 616 are separated 120° fromeach other around the central axis.

In one embodiment, the mounting means 611, 613, 615 has at least onefastening means configured to secure the supporting platform portion 610to the skull 150 of the living subject.

In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a support frame600 for an adjustable surgical platform 200. In one embodiment, thesupporting platform portion 610 has an annular body portion 610 c thatdefines a bore 610 d between a first end portion 610 a and a second,opposite end portion 610 b, along a central axis. A plurality of armportions 612, 614, 616 extend radially from the annular body portion 610c around the central axis, and each arm portion 612, 614, 616 has afirst end portion 612 a, 614 a, 616 a connected to the annular bodyportion 610 c, a second, opposite end portion 612 b, 614 b, 616 b, and abody portion 612 c, 614 c, 616 c defined between the first end portion612 a, 614 a, 616 a and the second end portion 612 b, 614 b, 616 b,respectively. The support frame 600 also includes a plurality ofengaging means 618, 620, 622 that are each positioned on a respectiveone of the arm portions 612, 614, 616, proximate to the respectivesecond end portion 612 b, 614 b, 616 and configured to engage acorresponding leg member 210, 212, 214 of an adjustable surgicalplatform 200.

The support frame 600 further includes means 611, 613, 615 that areconfigured to mount the supporting platform portion 610 to the skull 150of a living subject.

In one embodiment, each of the arm portions is configured to elevate arespective one of the engaging means from the supporting platformportion (see FIG. 8 embodiment with arm portions 812, 814, 816configured to elevate engaging means 818, 820, 822 from supportingplatform portion 810).

In one embodiment, each of the engaging means 618, 620, 622 isadjustable in three-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioningangle for a corresponding engaged leg member 210, 212, 214 of theadjustable surgical platform 200.

In one embodiment, the plurality of arm portions 612, 614, 616 includesthree arm portions that are separated 120° from each other around thecentral axis.

In one embodiment, the mounting means 611, 613, 615 has at least onefastening means configured to secure the supporting platform portion 610to the skull 150 of the living subject.

Now referring specifically to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, a support frame 100is shown, according to one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. Particularly, FIG. 1A provides a perspective view of thesupport frame 100, FIG. 1B provides a top view of the supportingplatform portion 110 of the support frame 100, and FIG. 1C provides aside view of the support frame 100. As shown, the support frame includesa supporting platform portion 110 with a substantially annular bodyportion 110 c that defines a bore 110 d between a first end portion 110a and a second, opposite end portion 110 b, along a central axis A. Aplurality of arm portions 112, 114, 116 extend radially from thesupporting platform portion 110 around the central axis A, and areseparated from each other by angles θ₁, θ₂, θ₃, which are each about120°. Each of the arm portions 112, 114, 116 has a first end portion 112a, 114 a, 116 a connected to the body portion 110 c of the supportingplatform portion 110, a second, opposite end portion 112 b, 114 b, 116b, and a body portion 112 c, 114 c, 116 c defined between the first endportion 112 a, 114 a, 116 and second end portion 112 b, 114 b, 116 b,respectively. A plurality of engaging means 118, 120, 122 are eachpositioned on respective one of the arm portions 112, 114, 116,proximate to the respective second end portions 112 b, 114 b, 116 b ofthe arm portions 112, 114, 116. Fastening means 111, 113, 115 such asmounting screws, bolts, or pins are provided through the body portion110 c of the supporting platform portion 110, to securely attach thebody portion 110 c to the shaft portion 130 at the first end 130 a.

As will be discussed in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4A,4B, in one embodiment, the support frame 100 further includes a means402 for securing a surgical tracking instrument 430 to one or more ofthe arm portions, shown in this embodiment as provided on an arm portion512. FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment that includes a means 502for securing the surgical tracking instrument 430 to one of the armportions.

The support frame 100 also includes a shaft portion 130 that extendsfrom the second end portion 110 b of the supporting platform portion110. The shaft portion 130 has a first end portion 130 a connected tothe body portion 110 c of the supporting platform portion 110, anopposite, second end portion 130 b, and a shaft body portion 130 c thatis defined between the first end portion 130 a and the second endportion 130 b. The shaft body portion 130 c defines a bore 130 d, alonga longitudinal axis B that is substantially parallel to the central axisA. The bore 130 b of the shaft body portion 130 c is in communicationwith the bore 110 d defined by the supporting platform portion 110.

A base portion 140 is also included in the support frame 100. The baseportion 140 is connected to the second end portion 130 b of the shaftportion 130, and has a first end portion 140 a and a second, oppositeend portion 140 b that define a body portion 140 c between them. Thebody portion 140 c defines a bore 140 d that is in communication withthe bore 130 d defined by the shaft portion 130 and the bore 110 d ofthe supporting platform portion 110. The support frame also includesmounting means 142, 144, 146 such as mounting screws, pins, rods, bolts,and/or other types of anchoring mechanisms that are configured tosecurely mount the base portion 140 to the skull 150 of a livingsubject.

Now referring also to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B,each of the engaging means 118, 120, 122 is configured to engage a legmember 210, 212, 214 of an adjustable surgical platform 200. In thisembodiment, the engaging means 118, 120, 122 of each of the arm portions112, 114, 116 is adjustable in three-dimensions to provide an adjustablepositioning angle for corresponding engaged leg members 210, 212, 214 ofan adjustable surgical platform 200. Each of the engaging means 118,120, 122 has a socket-ball joint with a respective concave recess 119,121, 123 configured to receive a respective ball portion 216, 218, and220 of a respective one of a plurality of leg members 210, 212, and 214of the adjustable surgical platform 200. It should be appreciated thatother engaging means may be used without departing from the scope of thepresent invention according to aspects disclosed herein. For example,other types of mechanical joints or interfaces may be used to providefor rotational or other movement for adjustment of a surgical platformin connection with one or more leg members of the adjustable surgicalplatform.

Now referring specifically to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2A and2B, FIG. 2A schematically shows perspective view of a support frame 100according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C,supporting an adjustable surgical platform 200, and FIG. 2Bschematically shows a side view of the support frame 100 according tothe exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, supporting the adjustablesurgical frame 200 shown in FIG. 2A. The adjustable surgical platform200 has a probe 201 a, 201 b, 201 c guided on a trajectory through abore (not shown) of a body portion 202 of the adjustable surgicalplatform 200, and the trajectory continues through the bore 110 ddefined by the body portion 110 c of the support platform portion 110,through the bore 130 d of the shaft portion, and through the bore 140 dof the base portion 140 to a target area of a living subject locatedinside the skull 150 of a living subject. For example, the probe 201 a,201 b may provide an electrical stimulation lead with an electrode fordeep brain stimulation (DBS) or include a biopsy needle. The leg members210, 212, 214 connect to the body portion 202 of the adjustable surgicalplatform 200 at connections 211, 213, 215 and have respective ballportions 216, 218, 220 for engaging with the engaging means 118 and 122disposed on arm portions 116 and 118 of the support platform portion110.

Now referring specifically to FIGS. 3A and 3B, FIG. 3A schematicallyshows a side, cross-sectional view of a support frame 300 according toone exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3Bschematically shows a side, cross-sectional view of the support frame300 shown in FIG. 3A, supporting an adjustable surgical platform 200. Asshown, the support frame includes a supporting platform portion 310 witha substantially annular body portion 310 c that defines a bore 310 dbetween a first end portion 310 a and a second, opposite end portion 310b, along a central axis A. A plurality of arm portions 312, 314, 316extend radially from the supporting platform portion 310 around thecentral axis A, separated from each other by angles θ₁, θ₂, θ₃, whichare each about 120°. Each of the arm portions 312, 314, 316 has arespective first end portion 312 a, 314 a, 316 a connected to the bodyportion 310 c of the supporting platform portion 310, a second, oppositeend portion 312 b, 314 b, 316 b, and a body portion 312 c, 314 c, 316 cdefined between the first end portion 312 a, 314 a, 316 a and the secondend portion 312 b, 314 b, 316 b, respectively. A plurality of engagingmeans 318, 320, 322 are each positioned on respective one of the armportions 312, 314, 316, proximate to the respective second end portions312 b, 314 b, 316 b of the arm portions 312, 314, 316. Fastening means311, 313, 315 such as mounting screws, bolts, or pins are providedthrough the body portion 310 c of the supporting platform portion, tosecurely attach the body portion 310 c to the shaft portion 330 at thefirst end 330 a.

The support frame 300 also includes a shaft portion 330 that extendsfrom the second end portion 310 b of the supporting platform portion310. The shaft portion 330 has a first end portion 330 a connected tothe body portion 310 c of the supporting platform portion 310, anopposite, second end portion 330 b, and a shaft body portion 330 c thatis defined between the first end portion 330 a and the second endportion 330 b. The shaft body portion 330 c defines a bore 330 d, alonga longitudinal axis B that is substantially parallel to the central axisA. The bore 330 b of the shaft body portion 330 c is in communicationwith the bore 310 d defined by the supporting platform portion 310.

A base portion 340 is also included in the support frame 300. The baseportion 340 is connected to the second end portion 330 b of the shaftportion 330, and has a first end portion 340 a and a second, oppositeend portion 340 b that define a body portion 340 c between them. Thebody portion 340 c defines a bore 340 d that is in communication withthe bore 330 d defined by the shaft portion 330 and the bore 310 ddefined by the supporting platform portion 310. The support frame alsoincludes mounting means 342, 344, 346 such as mounting screws, pins,rods, bolts, and/or other types of anchoring mechanisms that areconfigured to securely mount the base portion 340 to the skull 150 of aliving subject.

As shown, the adjustable surgical platform 200 has a probe 201 a, 201 b,201 c guided on a trajectory through a bore (not shown) of a bodyportion 202 of the adjustable surgical platform 200, and the trajectorycontinues through the bore 310 d defined by the body portion 310 c ofthe support platform portion 310, through the bore 330 d of the shaftportion 330, and through the bore 340 d of the base portion 340 to atarget area of a living subject located inside the skull 150 of a livingsubject. For example, the probe 201 a, 201 b may provide an electricalstimulation lead with an electrode for deep brain stimulation (DBS). Theleg members 210, 212, 214 connect to the body portion 202 of theadjustable surgical platform 200 at connections 211, 213, 215 and haverespective ball portions 216, 218, 220 for engaging with the engagingmeans 318, 320, 322 disposed on arm portions 312, 314, 318 of thesupport platform portion 310.

As shown, each of the arm portions 312, 314, 316 is configured toelevate a respective one of the engaging means 318, 320, 322 from thebody portion 310 c of the supporting platform portion 310 in a seconddirection that is substantially opposite the first direction. Moreparticularly, as shown the arm portions 312, 314, 316 have a generallyupward-curving side profile to provide for an elevated engagementposition for the engaging means 318, 320, 322 with corresponding ballportions 214, 216, 218 of the surgical platform 200. It should beappreciated that other configurations may be used for achieving theelevated position of the engagement means other than those shown in theexemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3A and 3B, without departing from thescope of the present invention according to aspects disclosed herein.For example, one or more of the arm portions 312, 314, 316 may have aplanar side profile such that the arm portions 312, 314, 316 extend fromthe body portion 310 c of the support platform portion 310, in adirection such that an angle is established between the arm portions312, 314, and 316 between the planar axis of the body portion 310 c andthe planar axis of the arm portions 312, 314, 316. Further, it should beappreciated that one or more of the arm portions 312, 314, 316 may beconfigured to adjustably vary the height at which the engaging means318, 320, 322 are elevated in relation to the body portion 310 c,without departing from the scope of the present invention according toaspects disclosed herein.

Now referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIG. 4A schematically shows a side,cross-sectional view of a means 402 for securing a surgical trackinginstrument 430 to a support frame 100, according to one exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4B schematically shows afront, cross-sectional view of the means 402 shown in FIG. 4A. As shown,the means 402 is positioned proximate to the second end 412 b of an armportion 412 such as an arm portion 112 shown in the embodiment of FIGS.1A, 1B, and 1C, and the means 402 is further positioned proximate to theengaging means 418, which has a concave recess portion 419. It should beappreciated that the means 402 may be mounted to more than one of thearm portions of a support platform portion, such as the other armportions 114, 116 of the support platform portion 110 shown in FIGS. 1A,1B, and 1C, without departing from the scope of the present inventionaccording to aspects disclosed herein.

As shown, the surgical tracking instrument 430 is an optical trackingdevice with optical emitters 431 and/or detectors for tracking theposition of the skull 150 of the living subject with a power and/or datacable 432. It should be appreciated that the surgical trackinginstrument 430 is not limited to an optical tracking means and mayinclude one or more other types of surgical instruments forpreoperative, intraoperative, or postoperative use, for example fiducialmarking devices or other data-acquisition, registration, and/oralignment devices, without departing from the scope of the presentinvention according to aspects disclosed herein.

Means 402 collectively refers to elements that include an adjustablesupporting shaft 420 a, 420 b, a first side portion 422 a, second sideportion 422 b, and a space for receiving at least a portion of asurgical tracking instrument 430 between them as described above. Thesurgical tracking instrument 430 is securely engaged by fastening means422 a, 422 b, shown as a mounting screw with a locking nut 424 a securedat the first side portion 424 a and a locking knob 424 b at the secondside portion 424 b, and with a shaft defined between the locking nut 424a and knob portion 424 b. The adjustable supporting shaft 420 a, 420 bis disposed within a vertical bore defined within the body portion 412 csuch that the adjustable supporting shaft 420 a, 420 b is adjustablypositionable at a desired elevation above the respective arm portion412, for providing control of the position of the surgical trackinginstrument 430 in relation to other elements of a support platformportion and/or adjustable surgical platform as shown in embodiments ofFIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, and 2B. The supporting shaft 420 a, 420 b isadjustably secured to the arm portion 412 by a fastening means 426 a,426 b, which is shown as a locking mounting screw with a locking nut 426a, an opposite, locking knob 424 b, and a shaft defined between thelocking nut 426 a and locking knob 426 b. The shaft of the fasteningmeans 426 a, 426 b extends through a bore 412 d in the body portion 412c of the arm portion 412, and through a bore 426 c in the supportingshaft 420 a, 420 b.

Now referring specifically to FIG. 5, a front, cross-sectional view of ameans 502 for securing a surgical tracking instrument 430 to a supportframe 100 is shown, according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The means 502 is positioned proximate to the second end of anarm portion 512, for example arm portion 112 as shown in the embodimentof FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C. Further, as shown, the means 502 is furtherpositioned proximate to the engaging means 519. It should be appreciatedthat means 502 may be mounted to more than one of the arm portions of asupport platform portion, such as one or more of the other arm portions114, 116 of the support platform portion 110 as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B,and 1C, without departing from the scope of the present inventionaccording to aspects disclosed herein. As shown, the surgical trackinginstrument 430 is an optical tracking device with optical emitters 431and/or detectors for tracking the position of the skull 150 of theliving subject intraoperatively. The surgical tracking instrument isprovided with a power and/or data cable 432. It should be appreciatedthat the surgical tracking instrument 430 is not limited to an opticaltracking means and may include one or more other types of surgicalinstruments for preoperative, intraoperative, or postoperative use, forexample fiducial marking devices or other data-acquisition,registration, and/or alignment devices, without departing from the scopeof the present invention according to aspects disclosed herein.

Means 502 collectively refers to elements that include an adjustablesupporting shaft 520 a, 520 b, a first side portion 522 a, a second sideportion 522 b, and a space defined between the first side portion 522 aand second side portion 522 b for receiving at least a portion of thesurgical tracking instrument 430. The surgical tracking instrument 430is securely engaged to the adjustable supporting shaft 520 a, 520 b byfastening means 521, 523 a, 523 b, which as shown correspond to athreaded adjustable clamp that is configured to be rotated at a lockingknob portion 523, to cause a shaft portion to move in a direction fromthe second side portion 522 b towards the first side portion 522 a, tothereby urge an engaging portion 523 a, such as a flat planar member, toapply a pressing force to one side of the surgical tracking device 430in a first direction. A bracing member 521 is positioned on another sideof the surgical tracking device 430, such that the pressing force fromthe engaging portion 523 a causes the surgical tracking device 430 to besecured in place between the first end portion 522 a and the second endportion 522 b.

The adjustable supporting shaft 520 a, 520 b is configured to beadjustably positioned at a desired elevation above the respective armportion 512 for controlling the position of the surgical trackinginstrument 430 in relation to other elements of a support platformportion and/or adjustable surgical platform as shown in embodiments ofFIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, and 2B. The supporting shaft 520 a, 520 b isadjustably secured to an arm portion 512 by fastening means 525 a, 525b, 525 c and 527 a, 527 b, 525 c, which form threaded adjustable clampportions that are configured to be rotated at respective locking knobs525 a, 527 b in order to urge shaft portions 525 c, 527 c through a borein the respective arm portion 512 to thereby cause flat planar members525 b, 527 a at opposite respective ends to apply pressing force againstrespective sides of the surgical tracking device 430 to secure thesurgical tracking device in a fixed position.

It should be noted that the adjustable supporting shaft 520 a, 520 b inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is adjustable in 360° in relation to thedirectional orientation of the arm portion 512, by rotating theadjustable supporting shaft, which is formed substantially in acylindrical shape or with another geometry allowing for rotation withinthe arm portion 512. As discussed above, the adjustable supporting shaft520 a, 520 b is also adjustable vertically, to position an attachablesurgical tracking device 430 at a desired height above the arm portion512.

Now referring specifically to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a support frame 600 isshown, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention.Particularly, FIG. 6A provides a perspective view of the support frame600 and FIG. 1B provides a side view of the support frame 600. As shown,the support frame 600 includes a supporting platform portion 610 with asubstantially annular body portion 610 c that defines a bore 610 dbetween a first end portion 610 a and a second, opposite end portion 610b, along a central axis. A plurality of arm portions 612, 614, 616extend radially from the supporting platform portion 610 around thecentral axis, and are separated from each other by angles θ₁, θ₂, θ₃,which are each about 120°. Each of the arm portions 612, 614, 616 has afirst end portion 612 a, 614 a, 616 a connected to the body portion 610c of the supporting platform portion 110, a second, opposite end portion612 b, 614 b, 616 b, and a body portion 612 c, 614 c, 616 c definedbetween the first end portion 612 a, 614 a, 616 a, and the second endportion 612 b, 614 b, 616 b, respectively. A plurality of engaging means618, 620, 622 are each positioned on a respective one of the armportions 612, 614, 616, proximate to the respective second end portions612 b, 614 b, 616 b of the arm portions 612, 614, 616. Fastening means611, 613, 615 such as mounting screws, bolts, or pins are providedthrough the body portion 610 c of the supporting platform portion 610,to securely attach the supporting platform portion 610 to a region ofinterest 150, such as the skull, of a living subject.

Now referring also to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B,each of the engaging means 618, 620, 622 is configured to engage a legmember 210, 212, 214 of an adjustable surgical platform 200. In thisembodiment, the engaging means 618, 620, 622 of each of the arm portions612, 614, 616 is adjustable in three-dimensions to provide an adjustablepositioning angle for corresponding engaged leg members 210, 212, 214 ofthe adjustable surgical platform 200. Each of the engaging means 618,620, 622 has a socket-ball joint with a respective concave recess 619,621, 623 configured to receive a respective ball portion 216, 218, and220 of a respective one of a plurality of leg members 210, 212, and 214of the adjustable surgical platform 200. It should be appreciated thatother engaging means may be used without departing from the scope of thepresent invention according to aspects disclosed herein. For example,other types of mechanical joints or interfaces may be used to providefor rotational or other movement for adjustment of a surgical platformin connection with one or more leg members of the adjustable surgicalplatform.

Now referring specifically to the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 7A and7B, FIG. 7A schematically shows a perspective view of a support frame600 according to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B,supporting an adjustable surgical platform 200, and FIG. 7Bschematically shows a side view of the support frame 600 according tothe exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, supporting theadjustable surgical platform 200. The adjustable surgical platform 200has a probe 201 a, 201 b, 201 c guided on a trajectory through a bore(not shown) of a body portion 202 of the adjustable surgical platform200, and the trajectory continues through the bore 610 d defined by thebody portion 610 c of the supporting platform portion 610 to a targetarea located inside the skull 150 of a living subject. For example, theprobe 201 a, 201 b may provide an electrical stimulation lead for deepbrain stimulation (DBS) or include a biopsy needle. The leg members 210,212, 214 connect to the body portion 202 of the adjustable surgicalplatform 200 at connections 211, 213, 215 and have respective ballportions 216, 218, 220 for engaging with the engaging means 618, 620,622 disposed on arm portions 612, 614, 618 of the supporting platformportion 610.

Now referring specifically to FIGS. 8A and 8B, FIG. 8A schematicallyshows a side view of a support frame 800 according to one exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8B schematically shows aside view of the support frame 800 shown in FIG. 8A, supporting anadjustable surgical platform 200. As shown, the support frame 800includes a supporting platform portion 810 with a substantially annularbody portion 810 c that defines a bore 810 d between a first end portion810 a and a second, opposite end portion 810 b, along a central axis. Aplurality of arm portions 812, 814, 816 extend radially from thesupporting platform portion 810 around the central axis, separated fromeach other by angles θ₁, θ₂, θ₃, which are each about 120°. Each of thearm portions 812, 814, 816 has a respective first end portion 812 a, 814a, 816 a connected to the body portion 810 c of the supporting platformportion 810, a second, opposite end portion 812 b, 814 b, 816 b, and abody portion 812 c, 814 c, 816 c defined between the first end portion812 a, 814 a, 816 a and the second end portion 812 b, 814 b, 816 b,respectively. A plurality of engaging means 818, 820, 322 are eachpositioned on respective one of the arm portions 812, 814, 816,proximate to the respective second end portions 812 b, 814 b, 816 b ofthe arm portions 812, 814, 816. Fastening means 811, 813, 815 such asmounting screws, bolts, or pins are provided through the body portion810 c of the supporting platform portion 810, to securely attach thesupporting platform portion 810 to the skull 150 of a living subject.

As shown, the adjustable surgical platform 200 has a probe 201 a, 201 b,201 c guided on a trajectory through a bore (not shown) of a bodyportion 202 of the adjustable surgical platform 200, and the trajectorycontinues through the bore 810 d defined by the body portion 810 c ofthe support platform portion 810 to a target area located inside theskull 150 of a living subject. For example, the probe 201 a, 201 b mayprovide an electrical stimulation lead for deep brain stimulation (DBS)or include a biopsy needle. The leg members 210, 212, 214 connect to thebody portion 202 of the adjustable surgical platform 200 at connections211, 213, 215 and have respective ball portions 216, 218, 220 forengaging with the engaging means 818, 820, 822 disposed on arm portions812, 814, 818 of the support platform portion 810.

As shown, each of the arm portions 812, 814, 816 is configured toelevate a respective one of the engaging means 818, 820, 822 from thebody portion 810 c of the supporting platform portion 810. Moreparticularly, as shown the arm portions 812, 814, 816 have a generallyupward-curving side profile to provide for an elevated engagementposition for the engaging means 818, 820, 822 with corresponding ballportions 214, 216, 218 of the surgical platform 200. It should beappreciated that other configurations may be used for achieving theelevated position of the engagement means other than those shown in theexemplary embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B, without departing from thescope of the present invention according to aspects disclosed herein.For example, one or more of the arm portions 812, 814, 816 may have aplanar side profile such that the arm portions 812, 814, 816 extend fromthe body portion 810 c of the support platform portion 810, in adirection such that an angle is established between the arm portions812, 814, and 816 between the planar axis of the body portion 810 c andthe planar axis of the arm portions 812, 814, 816. Further, it should beappreciated that one or more of the arm portions 812, 814, 816 may beconfigured to adjustably vary the height at which the engaging means818, 820, 822 are elevated in relation to the body portion 810 c,without departing from the scope of the present invention according toaspects disclosed herein.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the inventionhas been presented only for the purposes of illustration and descriptionand is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possiblein light of the above teaching.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain theprinciples of the invention and their practical application so as toenable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention and variousembodiments and with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which the present inventionpertains without departing from its spirit and scope. Accordingly, thescope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims ratherthan the foregoing description and the exemplary embodiments describedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for supporting an adjustablesurgical platform, comprising: (a) a supporting platform portion havinga body portion defining a bore along a central axis; (b) a plurality ofarm portions, each extending radially from the supporting platformportion around the central axis; (c) a plurality of engaging means, eachpositioned on a respective one of the arm portions; and (d) mountingmeans configured to secure the supporting platform portion to a regionof interest of a living subject.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, whereineach arm portion comprises a first end portion connected to the bodyportion of the supporting platform portion, a second, opposite endportion, and a body portion defined therebetween, and wherein at leastone of the engaging means is disposed proximate the second end of arespective at least one of the plurality of arm portions.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the arm portions isconfigured to elevate a respective at least one of the engaging meansfrom the supporting platform portion.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the plurality of engaging means is configured to engage at leasta portion of an adjustable surgical platform, and at least one of theengaging means is configured to engage a leg member of the adjustablesurgical platform.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least oneof the engaging means is adjustable in three-dimensions to provide anadjustable positioning angle for an engaged leg member of the adjustablesurgical platform.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofarm portions are separated at angles θ₁, θ₂, θ₃ from each other aroundthe central axis and the angles θ₁, θ₂, θ₃ are the same or different. 7.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting means comprises at leastone fastening means configured to secure the supporting platform portionto the region of interest of the living subject.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a means for securing a surgical trackinginstrument to one of the plurality of arm portions.
 9. A support framefor an adjustable surgical platform, comprising: (a) a supportingplatform portion having a body portion defining a bore between a firstend portion and a second, opposite end portion along a central axis; (b)a plurality of arm portions, each extending radially from the supportingplatform portion around the central axis, each arm portion having afirst end portion connected to the body portion of the supportingplatform portion, a second, opposite end portion, and a body portiondefined therebetween; (c) a plurality of engaging means, each positionedon a respective one of the plurality of arm portions proximate therespective second end portions; and (d) mounting means configured tomount the supporting platform portion to the skull of a living subject.10. The support frame of claim 9, wherein each of the arm portions isconfigured to elevate a respective one of the engaging means from thebody portion of the supporting platform portion.
 11. The support frameof claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of engaging means isconfigured to engage a leg member of the adjustable surgical platform.12. The support frame of claim 11, wherein the engaging means of each ofthe arm portions are adjustable in three-dimensions to provide anadjustable positioning angle for corresponding engaged leg members of anadjustable surgical platform.
 13. The support frame of claim 12, whereineach of the plurality of engaging means is configured to engage a ballportion of a respective leg member of the adjustable surgical platform.14. The support frame of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality ofengaging means comprises a socket-ball joint.
 15. The support frame ofclaim 13, wherein each of the engaging means comprises a concave recess.16. The support frame of claim 9, wherein the plurality of arm portionsare separated at equal angles θ₁, θ₂, θ₃ from each other around thecentral axis.
 17. The support frame of claim 16, wherein the pluralityof arm portions comprises three arm portions separated 120° from eachother around the central axis.
 18. The support frame of claim 9, whereinthe mounting means comprises at least one fastening means configured tosecure the supporting platform portion to the skull of the livingsubject.
 19. The support frame of claim 9, further comprising a meansfor securing a surgical tracking instrument to one of the plurality ofarm portions.
 20. A support frame for an adjustable surgical platform,comprising: (a) a supporting platform portion having an annular bodyportion defining a bore between a first end portion and second, oppositeend portion along a central axis; (b) a plurality of arm portionsextending radially from the annular body portion around the centralaxis, each arm portion having a first end portion connected to theannular body portion, a second, opposite end portion, and a body portiondefined therebetween; (c) a plurality of engaging means, each positionedon a respective one of the arm portions proximate the second end portionand configured to engage a corresponding leg member of an adjustablesurgical platform; and (d) mounting means configured to mount thesupporting platform portion to the skull of a living subject.
 21. Thesupport frame of claim 20, wherein each of the arm portions isconfigured to elevate a respective one of the engaging means from thebody portion of the supporting platform portion.
 22. The support frameof claim 20, wherein each of the engaging means is adjustable inthree-dimensions to provide an adjustable positioning angle for acorresponding engaged leg member of the adjustable surgical platform.23. The support frame of claim 20, wherein the plurality of arm portionscomprises three arm portions separated 120° from each other around thecentral axis.
 24. The support frame of claim 20, wherein the mountingmeans comprises at least one fastening means configured to secure thesupporting platform portion to the skull of the living subject.
 25. Thesupport frame of claim 20, further comprising a means for securing asurgical tracking instrument to one of the plurality of arm portions.